"Some History of the Bridge"
Chitwood Favorite Tip by Geoff_Wright

Favorite thing: Note: These are NOT my words, but I could not write anything without reference to this text, so please read it as it is intended, and my thanks to the original awriter.

" In December of 1893, the first bridge in Chitwood was constructed in the very spot the covered bridge stands today. It allowed residents of Chitwood to cross the Yaquina without fording the river. In 1904 another bridge replaced the prior, however it was also uncovered. These bridges did not stand up well to the harsh conditions of weather in the coast range. In the year 1926, the first covered bridge was constructed which stood in place until it's reconstruction in 1984.

This bridge was named after the small community of Chitwood, as in Joshua Chitwood, namesake of the railway town. Today, Chitwood is a ghost town, far from resembling the bustling railroad village it once was. The existing Chitwood bridge was built in 1926 and is 96 feet long. The bridge was built by Otis Hamer, and the design is attributed to A.E. Marvin. In 1984, the bridge was rehabilitated by federal and county funding and reconstructed by Aubrey Mountain Construction. Construction on this bridge began in late September and was finished by January 7th, 1984. The reconstruction was historically accurate as the construction company rebuilt the Howe Truss design, and the board and batten siding. The simple structure of flared sides and semi-elliptical portal arches, as well as the barn red color, are characteristics of Lincoln County's bridges. The Chitwood Bridge crosses over the Lower Yaquina River, and is still passable by motorized traffic. The weight limit for this bridge is eight* tons."

* If you see my pictures, you will see the weight limit has been increased to 15 tons.

DIRECTIONS: From Newport drive east on Hwy 20. From Corvallis drive west on Hwy 20. Turn south near milepost 17, drive through bridge to Chitwood